Method and device for therapeutic treatment of iliotibial band syndrome, myofascial and musculoskeletal dysfunctions

ABSTRACT

A therapeutic treatment system that embodies a therapeutic method and a medical device for the treatment of Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS), myofascial and/or musculoskeletal dysfunctions by utilizing negative pressure and suction to concurrently lift, lengthen, separate and stretch the iliotibial band to restore it to its correct functional length is provided. The medical device may include a suction implement coupled to an actuator handle, wherein the suction implement may be dimensioned and adapted to generate a negative pressure along a predetermined region requiring treatment. The user may operate the actuator handle so as to move it toward and away from the suction implement so that the suction implement is alternately deformed and returned to an undeformed condition, thereby alternately applying the negative pressure and suction to the predetermined region.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisionalapplication No. 61/988,621, filed 05-MAY-2014, the contents of which areherein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to medical devices for therapeutictreatment and, more particularly, to a method and device for therapeutictreatment of Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS), myofascial andmusculoskeletal dysfunctions.

The iliotibial band is a band of thick fibrous fascia tissue whichextends from the outside of the pelvis over the hip to just below theknee. The iliotibial band is essential for stabilizing the knee jointduring both dynamic and static postures. Several biomechanical and orstructural factors can cause a shortening and tightening of theiliotibial band, including becoming taut and swollen from excessrepetitive movement of the knee, urging induced friction or irritationof the iliotibial band as it moves over the thigh bone (femur) from itsanatomically correct position creating ITBS. ITBS, which is a verycommon condition or injury, can cause persistent pain, inflammation andswelling in both the distal (lateral knee) and proximal (lateral hip)sites of attachment.

Traditional methods of treating ITBS such as foam rolling, stretchingand strengthening the iliotibial band have not addressed the underlyingstructural problem of ITBS. With ITBS, the iliotibial band will oftenget adhered to the lateral aspect of the quadriceps muscle which willcause pain and decrease mobility of the knee and or hip region. The onlymeans by which to separate the iliotibial band from the lateral aspectis by utilizing negative pressure and suction to lift the iliotibialband off the surrounding tissue.

While these outdated methods for attempting to treat ITBS might, atbest, bring about temporary relief, they rarely effect a permanent cure,in that despite the use of the existing methods for treating ITBS, suchas intense massage, stretching, or strengthening the affected iliotibialband through exercise, the flexibility of the iliotibial band does notchange, thus refuting the employment of the prevailing therapies in use.

Because the iliotibial band is not a muscle, in order to break up scartissue, adhesions and trigger points, one must use negative pressure andsuction to gain relief from the above mentioned tissue disorders. Inshort, the current therapeutic modalities do not lift and separate theiliotibial band from its surrounding myofascial structures necessary fortreating ITBS.

As can be seen, there is a need for a method and device for therapeutictreatment of ITBS, myofascial and musculoskeletal dysfunctions byutilizing negative pressure and suction to concurrently lift, lengthen,separate and stretch the iliotibial band to restore it to its correctfunctional length.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a medical device for thetreatment of iliotibial band syndrome includes a suction implementhaving a rounded bowl-like configuration, forming an open cavity whichopens outwardly through an open end; and an actuator handle coupled tothe suction implement.

In another aspect of the present invention a method of therapeuticallytreating iliotibial band syndrome along a predetermined region, includesthe steps of providing a medical device having a suction implementproviding a rounded bowl-like configuration, forming an open cavitywhich opens outwardly through an open end; and an actuator handlecoupled to the suction implement; urging a sealing engagement betweenthe open end and the predetermined region; moving the actuator handletoward and away from the suction implement so that the suction implementis alternately deformed and returned to an undeformed condition, wherebythe resulting negative pressure and suction breaks up scar tissue,adhesions and trigger points of a subject iliotibial band.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention,

FIG. 6 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a section view demonstrating the location of the iliotibialband;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, shown in use;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, shown in use;

FIG. 11 is a detailed section view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 10, shown in use;

FIG. 12 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a detailed section view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 12, shown in use;

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 16 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a therapeutictreatment system that embodies a therapeutic method and a medical devicefor the treatment of Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS), myofascial and/ormusculoskeletal dysfunctions by utilizing negative pressure and suctionto concurrently lift, lengthen, separate and stretch the iliotibial bandto restore it to its correct functional length. The medical device mayinclude a suction implement coupled to an actuator handle, wherein thesuction implement may be dimensioned and adapted to generate a negativepressure along a predetermined region requiring treatment. The user mayoperate the actuator handle so as to move it toward and away from thesuction implement so that the suction implement is alternately deformedand returned to an undeformed condition, thereby alternately applyingthe negative pressure and suction to the predetermined region.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 17, the present invention may include atherapeutic treatment system that embodies a therapeutic method andmedical device 10 for treatment of ITBS, myofascial and/ormusculoskeletal dysfunctions by utilizing negative pressure and suctionto concurrently lift, lengthen, separate and stretch the iliotibial band18 to restore it to its correct functional length.

The medical device 10 may include a suction implement 12 coupled to anactuator handle 14. The suction implement 12 may be dimensioned andadapted to generate a negative pressure and suction along apredetermined region 24. The predetermined region 24 may include aportion of soft tissue 20, iliotibial band 18, and skin 22 of a leg of auser 16 that is affected by iliotibial band syndrome, myofascialdysfunctions, musculoskeletal dysfunctions, and other tissue disorders.

The suction implement 12 may be made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE),thermoplastic rubber or suitable resiliently deformable material that issuitable for injection molding, recyclable, and does not requirechemical agents for reinforcement, stabilization or curing.

The suction implement 12 may be a substantially rounded or ellipticalbowl-like configuration, forming an open cavity which opens outwardlythrough an open end 15. The bowl-like configuration may form an openingrim 30 circumscribing the open end 15. The suction implement may beadapted so as to generate negative pressure and suction along thepredetermined region 24. The open end 15 of the suction implement 12 maybe shaped generally circular, elliptical 26, 28 or the like, asillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 17, so that the present invention functionsas disclosed herein. The opening rim 13 and open end 15 may bedimensioned and adapted to form a substantially sealed engagement withthe predetermined region 24 and apply sufficient pressures thereto so asto lift, lengthen and stretch the subject soft tissue areas, such as theiliotibial band 18.

The spindle-shaped actuator handle 14 may can be material that can berepeatedly bent without fracturing, such as wood, acrylic, plasticized,laminated and other material. The actuator handle 14 may include aspherical, knob-like grip on its top to increase hand stability withimproved ergonomics and operation for carrying out the repetitivepumping motion that actuates the suction implement 12. The actuatorhandle 14 may be coupled to the suction implement 12 by, for example,but not limited to complementary threading, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

The actuator handle 14 may be adapted to administer the negativepressure and suction by means of the suction implement 12 coupled to theactuator handle 14, which, when actuated in a repetitive pumping motion,lifts, lengthens and stretches the subject soft tissue areas, such asthe iliotibial band 18. Such negative pressure and suction may beadapted to increase blood flow and circulation as the suction implement12 is moved along the predetermined region 24

A method of using the present invention may include the following. Thetherapeutic treatment system disclosed above may be provided. Thetherapeutic treatment system is adapted to be easy and thoroughly safefor use by laypeople in any setting without any medical knowledge orprior experience in treating the aforementioned conditions, injuries,other related myofascial and musculoskeletal dysfunctions.

A user may urge the open end 15/opening rim 30 of the open cavity ontothe predetermined region 24 so as to form a sufficient sealingengagement, as illustrated FIG. 10. Then the user may operate theactuator handle 14 so as to move it toward and away from the suctionimplement 12 so that the suction implement 12 is alternately deformed,FIG. 11, and returned to an undeformed condition, FIG. 13, in order toalternately apply pressure and suction to the predetermined region 24whereby the pressure and suction breaks up scar tissue, adhesions andtrigger points of the iliotibial band 18 or other soft tissue.

In certain embodiments, a commercially available semi viscous, waterpermeable liquid preparation may be rubbed on at least a portion of thepredetermined region 24 as a medium by which to promote an improved yettemporary airtight sealing engagement between the opening rim 30 and thesoft tissue, thus yielding enhanced negative pressure and suction.Unlike earlier forms of treatment, use of the present invention willrelax excessive tissue contractions and reduce inflammation, diminishingpain and eliminate harmful toxins from local regions while concomitantlygenerating and resupplying essential nutrients necessary for healing.

In conjunction with also providing relief for other related myofascialand musculoskeletal dysfunctions, the present invention may be effectivefor treating chronic IT Band Tendinitis, Patellar Tendinitis,Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome along with Knee Bursitis, and aids instimulating blood flow and circulation while diminishing persistentprotuberant knots and sections of rigid tissue.

The method of making the present invention may include the following.The suction implement 12 may be made cost effectively manufactured bymeans of injection molding, which entails injecting the raw/liquefiedresilient material (TPE) into a mold cavity to shape the compound intothe predetermined form. The actuator handle 14 may be coupled to thesuction implement 12 through mating complementary threading.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A medical device for the treatment of IliotibialBand Syndrome, comprising: a suction implement; and an actuator handlecoupled to the suction implement.
 2. The medical device of claim 1,wherein the suction implement further comprises: a rounded bowl-likeconfiguration, forming an open cavity which opens outwardly through anopen end; and a handle end opposing the open end, wherein the actuatorhandle is coupled to the handle end.
 3. The medical device of claim 2,further comprising: a threaded opening formed on the handle end; and athreading disposed along a portion of the actuator handle, wherein thethreading and the threaded opening complementarily mate when coupled. 4.The medical device of claim 3, wherein the open end is generallycircular.
 5. The medical device of claim 3, wherein the open end isgenerally elliptical.
 6. A method of therapeutically treating IliotibialBand Syndrome along a predetermined region, comprising the steps of:providing a medical device comprising: a suction implement having arounded bowl-like configuration, forming an open cavity which opensoutwardly through an open end; and an actuator handle coupled to thesuction implement; urging a sealing engagement between the opening rimand a portion of the predetermined region; and moving the actuatorhandle toward and away from the suction implement so that the suctionimplement is alternately deformed and returned to an undeformedcondition, whereby the resulting negative pressure and suction lifts,lengthens and or stretches a subject iliotibial band.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, further comprising positioning the sealing engagement over aplurality of predetermined regions along the length of the subjectiliotibial band.
 8. The method of claim 6, furthering comprising aninitial step of rubbing semi viscous, water permeable liquid preparationon at least a portion of the predetermined region.